In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

The IHSS program is a federal, state, and locally funded program designed to provide assistance to those eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who, without this care, would be unable to remain safely in their own homes. IHSS provides services according to the client’s ability to perform daily activities, and can include feeding, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, meal preparation and clean up, respiration, bowel & bladder care, moving in and out of bed, rubbing the skin (to prevent skin breakdown), accompaniment to medical appointments, paramedical services, and protective supervision.

IHSS clients are responsible for locating their own chore providers, for hiring and supervising their providers, and for firing the provider if the services are not performed according to the client’s specifications. The Alameda County Public Authority for IHSS maintains a Registry of individuals available to work as chore providers.

Who qualifies for IHSS?

To be eligible for IHSS, you must be on Medi-Cal, be blind, disabled, or 65 years of age or older, AND be unable to live at home safely without help.

If you are not on Medi-Cal, but think you might be eligible for IHSS, you can still apply. An Eligibility Technician will be assigned to your case and will let you know what documentation is needed so that a Medi-Cal determination can be made. If the determination finds that you are eligible for Medi-Cal, the next step in the application process is a home visit from an IHSS Social Worker.

IHSS Social Workers determine if you qualify for IHSS by assessing your functional need for specific services, and by identifying the amount of time to be allotted for the performance of services. Depending on the amount of your monthly income, you may be required to pay a share of cost for these services.

How to apply for IHSS

There are several ways to apply for IHSS. You can call 510-577-1900, and follow the menu selections to be connected with the IHSS Screening Unit. Social Work Screeners can either help you complete the application over the phone, or if you prefer, can mail an application to you. You can also download an application from this Web site, or you can come into the office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The IHSS Lobby is located on the 1st floor of the Eastmont Self Sufficiency Center, Suite 143, 6955 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland.

CMIPS II is the new computer program that will make it easy for you as an IHSS provider to complete your timecards and will help you prevent time-consuming errors. "Learn How to Complete Your Timesheet Correctly." Click here for your timesheet completion instructions. Please continue to submit any correspondence to 6955 Foothill Blvd., Suite 143, Oakland, CA 94605. To speak to a payroll representative call: 510-577-1877.

Also, if you would like to receive your payments faster and avoid paper paychecks, Direct Deposit is an option that is available to you. Please see flyers below for more information.

Check out our new In-Home Supportive Services Information Line to get updates on IHSS. The direct number is 510-577-3560 - keep this number handy and call frequently to get the latest IHSS information. This line is information only, you will not be able to speak to staff directly via this number. Calling 510-577-3560 may save you the need to come into the office or speak to your worker to get your questions answered. You can also find more information on the State’s website at www.cdss.ca.gov Click on IHSS.